Decalcomania



. 17, 194-0. r-.-w. HUMPHNER DECALCOMANIA Filed Nov. 2, 1936 Warzs'fer 5o Patented Dec. 17, 1940 PATENT OFFICE DECALCOMANIA Ferdinand W. Humphner, Oak Park, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Mid-States Gummed Paper Company, a corporation of Delaware Application November 2, 1936, Serial No. 108,903 2 Claims. (01. 41-33) This invention relates to a decalcomania.

An object of the invention is to provide a decalcomania equipped with reinforcing threads in the paper base, said threads serving also as means 5 for identifying the product and preventing counterfeiting. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated, in a preferred embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a broken perspective view of a decalcomama embodying my invention and having a paper base with fibers distributed heterogenomly through the same; and Fig. 2 is a broken per= spective view of a decalcomania provided with a paper base having a fiber mesh pressed into the upper surface thereof.

In the practice of my invention, I employ a suitable base paper and reinforce it with threads which may be in the form either of spun threads or unspun fibers, etc. The threads may be run in any direction and may be of any suitable material; I have found that alpha wood fibers, silk, rayon, cotton, celanese, etc. are satisfactory. The threads are preferably permanently dyed to provide a source of identifying the product although, if desired, natural colors may be used. Also, if desired, the threads may be dyed difi'erent colors so as to present a mat of varying colors.

The threads may be incorporated into the sheet in any suitable way to reinforce the same. I prefer to apply the fibers to the top surface of the sheet and work them into the sheet as by ironing, although it will be understood that the threads might be incorporated in the beater as the paper is formed, or in any other desired way.

In making the improved decalcomania product the colored reinforcing fibers may first be added to the top portion of the paper sheet in the manner above described. Over this is placed a layer of water-soluble adhesive, and over the adhesive layer is'placed a layer of varnish, translucent ink, or other material suitable for carrying a printed impression. This print-carrying material is known as the transfer body and may receive on its top surface the ink impression or print of any desired desi n- By incorporating the fibers into the top portion of the sheet, the same become readily vis ible when the transfer body is removed. If the fibers are within the body of the sheet, they become visible when the paper base is torn. In addition, the threads strengthen the paper sheet and prevent it from tearing when first dipped within the water. In other words, the threads supply the tension support which is needed as the highly absorbent paper is dipped into water. A relatively light weight paper can be employed while at the sametime-obviating any paper in the entire sheet splitting ofi when it is ipped in water and before the transfers have been removed.

Thus, the use of colored thread in the decalcomania yields two important advantages not obtained in ordinary decalcomanias: first, when the decalcomania is applied to a surface and when it is wet to loosen the adhesive, the threads hold the paper sheet together preventing tearing of the water-soaked paper; and secondly, these threads provide a way for determining the genuineness ofthe product after its application to a surface, without the necessity of an apparent mark on the decalcomania prior to its application. The colored threads are preferably concealed either within the paper or, when placed on top,

by the adhesive layer. When it is desired to dis- 20 cover the origin of the paper and to determine whether it is true and not counterfeit, the threads may be exposed to view either by tearing the paper or removing one of the transfers.

In the use of the term threads" in the speci- 25 fication and in the appended claims, itwill be understood that the word is used in its large sense to cover unspun fibers as well as spun fibers; in other words, any full length fiber or thread which will serve the above described pur- 30 poses.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understan w. only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be 35 construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a decalcomania, a sheet of waterleaf decalcomania paper having its fibers highly water- 40 absorbent, reinforcing fibers intermingled with said paper fibers and being stronger than paper fibers in contact with water, water-soluble adhesive over said paper, a transfer body over said adhesive, and a print on said transfer body, said 5 transfer body being adapted to be released by the passage of water through said paper sheet.

2. Decalcomania' paper suitable for forming transfers thereon, comprising: a sheet of waterleaf decalcomania paper which is highly water- 50 absorbent having its fibers interlaced with fibers stronger than the paper fibers and providing a tension support for said paper fibers when the same are immersed in water, and water-soluble adhesive over one face of said paper. 55

FERDNAND W. HUMPHNER. 

